Chapter 240: What a pretty girl

Words : 1825 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Chapter 240: What a pretty girl The ladies composed themselves, chatting lightly about the pretty creatures that Cass had conjured up and asking about where they were from, what they were. It was only then that Cass realised that they didn’t have the kind of birds and animals that he had created, and was so fucking grateful it was them that he had done it around and not someone else. He was happy to explain that they were common, often found in cities and even let them poke the bumble bees as they drifted from flower to flower. The girls were enchanted by them, to the point that they took a moment to wander around the gardens before they headed back inside. It was while Lady Ava was distracted, chattering away about how pretty some of the birds were that Fiona spoke to him. "What were you going to say before?" She asked, her eyes serious. "It sounded like it was something important, and then Ava cut you off." She was observant, even when she was in grief and anger. Cass was too, which was why he found it so annoying that she had noticed. The gods really had made them rather similar. Seems they had a type. "Well, it’s related to something with the hero party. I just...I don’t think our contract is going to benefit me in the future, and I was hoping to end it." Cass said softly. "Plus, my...quest is going to lead me parallel but not quite in the same direction as the rest of you." Fiona’s eyes widened at the way Cass spoke. "You want to...leave soon? I thought...I had more time." She muttered and Cass gave her a look. "It’s been a month and a bit, Fiona. Even the gods pointed that out." She paled slightly. "Oh no. Are you in trouble?" Cass didn’t want to tell her he was always in trouble with them. He just shrugged instead. "Not enough that they would make my life difficult. Just enough for them to try and light a fire under my ass." Fiona looked a little started that he would use that phrase, before she coughed. "So you want to...leave? Are you sure? I know we’ve kind of had this conversation before but I just...I don’t like this, Cass. It’s your home. Whether you let us live there or not, it’s yours. I feel like we should be the ones leaving." She said and Cass stared at her. She was a hero, through and through. Cass reached up, poking her hard between her eyes. She complained as she stumbled back a step. "Fiona, take advantage of me. I have a lot of money, good looks, and I don’t care. I know it’s literally in your nature to be a good person, but holy shit. The home is too big for me, and honestly, after my time on ’vacation’ I prefer smaller homes." Cass’ expression grew grim as he remembered why he had left Sam and Byron behind. "Plus, with a home that big, rodents and insects have a tendency to make their homes there without others knowing." Fiona stared at Cass, her eyes slightly wide before she looked away from him. "Okay...so you want to leave the house. Where are you going to go?" She asked softly, Lady Ava continued moving towards the door ahead of them, prancing around like a child. It was nice to see her so carefree after her meltdown before. Especially since Cass told her he would take her to speak to the gods. He didn’t know if him being there would help, but he hoped it did. He really needed to get Lady Ava away from the ’one god to rule them all’ mentality. Wasn’t healthy for her. "Not far. I still need to be nearby, just...not in the party." Fiona nodded slowly, looking sad. "I see. The others aren’t going to be happy about that." She said and Cass chuckled. "Well they can cry me a river. They’re your husbands, not mine." Cass said and Fiona gave him a strange look. "You’ve...noticed how their behaviour has changed around you, haven’t you?" She asked quietly and Cass flinched. "W-Well, kinda?" Cass said, refusing to meet her gaze. They were having the conversation. He really didn’t want to have this conversation. He was pretending not to notice how much the attention was shifting. He also didn’t like it. It was like Cass was the shiny and new hero, so everyone was turning to him. He hated it. He could feel a swell of panic rising in his body as Fiona stared at him. "I don’t care, you know that, right? I think it’s about time that everyone realised who Lord Blackburn is as a person, including me. We’re all guilty of it. Believing the rumours, alienating you. The fact that you are even still around, helping us, is a great testament to how good of a hero you are, Cass." Fiona’s complement had Cass’ ears burning. Damn it. He wasn’t a good hero. There was no way he was. "That feels like a curse, what you just said Fiona." Cass muttered and Fiona let out a laugh that seemed to startle herself. "Oh really? Well, you should get used to it. You are a hero, just like I am." She smirked, smiling at Cass. Her eyes were still puffy, her face still a little red and swollen, but there was a lightness in her eyes that had Cass feeling more relaxed. He sighed, turning his gaze away from her again. He kicked his foot at the ground, not sure what else to do. "Oh great. Well, at least we have that in common." Cass muttered and that only made Fiona laugh more. "Mm. We also have the fact that we like the same sex in common." She told him, nudging his shoulder and Cass grumbled. "Also, tell me if those two haven’t apologised to you in a way that you accept. I’ll set them straight." She told him, and Cass wondered if anyone in this party was truly straight. Maybe Lord Ridgewood? But given that he’d kissed Edgar before... Yeah, maybe no one. "I doubt you could do that." Cass told her and Fiona gave him a look, and Cass chuckled. "Ah. Sorry. You don’t know that term. Straight is another way we call heterosexuals. People who like the opposite sex." Fiona looked horrified. "Oh, then I don’t want to do that." Fiona said quickly. It was Cass’ turn to chuckle, and Lady Ava finally had enough of them laughing to each other to come over and harass them. "What in the world are you two chuckling about over here? Can I join in?" She asked, glancing between the two of them. "You two are so secretive. It’s very frustrating." Lady Ava said, puffing out her cheeks. "I know that there isn’t anything going on between you two, but it still makes me jealous." She complained and Cass took her as a little bird, fluffing up and yapping at them. Bouncing around, trying to frighten them away. It was pretty cute. Cass reached out, his gloved hand ruffling her hair, much to both Fiona and Lady Ava’s shock. "You’ll have to get used to it. Even as a saintess, there are some things that only heroes can understand." Cass told her, smiling. Lady Ava’s mouth hung open. "Not fair! You aren’t allowed to say that and smile like that!" Lady Ava protested and Cass glanced at Fiona, still smiling and she flushed. "Oh dear gods. Maybe there was a reason you were so awkward at smiling before. You’re so...pretty, Cass." Cass felt all of his warm feelings come to a screeching halt. "What?" He whispered, unable to believe he was hearing it from them too. There was no way that this was the case. To hear it from Lucian and Edgar...that was something else entirely. Didn’t have as much weight to it. But the lesbians? Nah man. That wasn’t a good sign for his health. Fiona nodded, scanning Cass as the smile fell from his face. "I think it’s the fairy blood, maybe mixed with the other stuff? You look as pretty as a flower. When your red eyes curl up like that...they grow warm. In the light right now they kind of have a pretty pink hue to them, and the white hair? If you were in a dress I’d almost mistake you for a woman." Cass really didn’t like hearing that. "Come on. How is that flattering to anyone?" Cass asked, and Lady Ava grew rather serious, her expression thoughtful as she gently placed her hand on her chin. She scanned Cass, before she nodded. "He could probably fit in one of my dresses." She muttered and Cass felt a spear of pure fear run down his spine. "No! You are not getting me in a dress!" Cass protested rather loudly. Both Fiona and Lady Ava seemed shocked by that, before a slight spark went off behind Fiona’s eyes. "Wait! Did your sister-" She started and Cass waved a hand in front of him as Lady Ava furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Don’t you start!" Cass protested, but Fiona had sniffed it out and she lunged for it. "What? I’m sure you were adorable! Why can’t we see it?" She asked, and Cass felt his face flush. Because he’d been Caspian, only Caspian, and he had not looked cute. He’d looked like a boy pretending to be a girl, and not in a cute way. His sister had laughed so hard that Cass hadn’t even noticed she’d snapped a photo. He’d been filled with horror when she had brought over her boyfriend at the time, now husband, and shown him the photo of Cass, all sly glances at him. Cass hadn’t spoken to her for a week out of protest, only forgiving her when she brought home his favourite food. "Your sister?" Lady Ava asked and Fiona nodded, all smiles. "Yeah! Cass had a sister in his other life!" She said it casually and Lady Ava seemed a little disturbed by that for a moment, before her expression softened. "Ah. So you should be used to helping us out, right Cass? Can’t we see it? You’d be such a pretty girl. I’m sure Eddie and Lucy would agree." That was Cass’ worst fear. That they would agree. "If that ever happens, which it won’t, they are not allowed to see!" Cass shouted desperately, knowing damn well he was making a scene and that it was going to reveal a lot. The fact that it was Lady Ava who made the comment meant it was already pretty fucking obvious, and Cass knew his face was bright red. Fuck. Ugh, damnit! He should have just told Fiona outright he wanted a divorce!

Chapter 240: What a pretty girl

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